Killer and rapist Hayden Taylor denied parole

One of New Zealand's most sadistic killers is still refusing to accept responsibility for elements of his crime.

Hayden Taylor has spent more than 17 years in jail, serving dual sentences of life imprisonment and preventive detention after murdering pregnant teenager Nicola Rankin in September 1996 while on bail for raping former street worker Amanda Watt.

Taylor was denied parole at a Parole Board hearing earlier this month.

In a decision released today, the Board said it had reservations about Taylor's failure to take responsibility for sexual elements of his offending.